Italy is grappling with the sudden impact of Cyclone Pedro, which brought heavy snowfall in the Alps and hurricane-force winds in the central and southern parts of the country. In Rome, an orange weather alert was declared, leading to the closure of parks and cemeteries due to the risk of falling trees. Although the situation in mountainous regions remains difficult, forecasters predict a swift change in weather and the arrival of high-pressure, almost spring-like conditions as early as this weekend.

Paralysis in the Aosta Valley

A massive avalanche cut off 250 people in the Rhêmes valley; a large-scale helicopter evacuation was necessary amid the fourth-degree avalanche danger.

Orange alert in Rome

The capital's mayor ordered the closure of parks and cemeteries due to gales brought by tempesta Pedro, threatening tree falls.

Sudden warming this weekend

After the front passes, the Azores High will settle over Italy, raising temperatures to 19 degrees, heralding an early spring.

Northern and central Italy have come under the influence of a deep low-pressure system named Pedro, which caused a sudden deterioration in atmospheric conditions. The situation is particularly severe in the Aosta Valley region, where the fourth, high level of avalanche danger has been declared. In the Rhêmes valley, a massive avalanche blocked regional road no. 24, forcing emergency services to evacuate over 250 tourists using helicopters. The rescue operation concluded successfully, and the road was conditionally reopened on Thursday morning after light overnight snowfall that did not worsen snowpack stability. The Aosta Valley, an autonomous region in the Western Alps, has some of the highest-altitude ski slopes in Europe, making it particularly vulnerable to sudden cryospheric phenomena during transitional periods.In the country's capital, Rome, Mayor Roberto Gualtieri signed an ordinance to close public facilities due to an orange wind alert. Gusts reaching storm force are expected, which could cause widespread tree falls and infrastructure damage. Similar warnings have been issued for Campania and Tuscany, where additional threats include rapid sea-level rises and strong storm surges on exposed coasts. However, meteorologists emphasize that this is the last such violent winter episode. Starting Friday, the Azores High will begin moving over the Apennine Peninsula, bringing weather stabilization and temperature increases up to 19 degrees Celsius. „This is the last perturbation before a decisive change in course, which will open the door to a much more prolonged period of atmospheric stability.” — Federico BresciaDespite the impending warming, authorities urge extreme caution in high mountain areas, where enormous masses of fresh snow remain. In the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region, a yellow alert related to so-called acqua alta persists, which may lead to local flooding in coastal areas. However, the weekend is set to be marked by sunshine and significant warming, which meteorologists describe as a premature breath of spring after an exceptionally rainy January. Anticyclones, or high-pressure systems, in the Mediterranean region often block the influx of moist air masses from the Atlantic, leading to prolonged periods of dry and sunny weather.250 — tourists evacuated from the blocked Rhêmes valleyWeather alert levels in selected regions: Rome: 2, Aosta Valley: 4, Tuscany: 1, Friuli-Venezia Giulia: 1Timeline of the winter attack and rescue operation: February 17 — Avalanche descent; February 18 — Evacuation and alerts; February 19, 07:30 — Road opening; February 21 — High-pressure arrival

Mentioned People

  • Roberto Gualtieri — Mayor of Rome, who signed the ordinance on safety measures in connection with the gales.
  • Lorenzo Tedici — Meteorologist for the iLMeteo.it service commenting on extreme rainfall.